Calls for worldwide ban on Czech coach who filmed female footballers in changing room

"Petr Vlachovsky was convicted in May 2025, without a public hearing, and was handed a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban, after being found to have filmed 14 players at FC Slovacko over a four-year period. He was also caught in possession of child sexual abuse material."

"The sentence of one year's suspended imprisonment with a three-year deferral does not send the right signal. The five-year ban on coaching only applicable in Czech Republic is also insufficient. The ban from coaching is where I really believe our focus should be at, jointly with Fifa."

"Because the Czech criminal process and the Czech FA's administrative proceedings are separate and can run in parallel, the union is challenging the FA to implement a lifetime football ban for Vlachovsky and all sexual offenders. The player union is also working with Fifpro to urge Fifa to impose a global coaching ban."

Petr Vlachovsky, a Czech coach, was convicted in May 2025 of secretly filming 14 female players at FC Slovacko over four years using a hidden camera in changing rooms and showers. He received a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban, despite also being found in possession of child sexual abuse material. His youngest victim was 17 years old. Vlachovsky previously coached the Czech under-19 women's national team and could resume coaching in the Czech Republic by 2030. Fifpro and the Czech player union CAFH are campaigning for Fifa to impose a global coaching ban and for the Czech FA to implement a lifetime football ban, arguing the current penalties are insufficient.

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